Medusa's gaze and disguises

[uzagi_akimbo]

Concerning a Medusa's petrifying gaze (Su) - would that power work if the Medusa was under the effect of a Disguise Self (Illusion) spell , hiding her features ?
Or when using Alter Self (Trans)?
How about if she was polymorphed into a humanoid form, with visible eyes ?

She couldn't use her gaze attacks if she was invisible (DM), but what if she was covered by an altering illusion ?

According to historical myths it wouldn't work, but then, the mythical Medusa's countenance alone was potent enough to paralyze/petrify anyone foolish enough to look upon her, not simply a gaze attack, so I guess that comparison falls by the tracks.

 

[Darklone]

Well, if you look long enough, she will pretrify you and the mythical Medusa probably had Ability Focus and real good stats for a better DC

The spells will not be enough to hide the gaze attack, but the Medusa is well adviced to supress the ability...

I like to use Medusas as veiled archers. Nothing attracts opponents so fast as being an archer

 

[Rackhir]

Well you have to look a medusa in the eyes to be turned to stone. If you can't see her eyes you can't be turned to stone. That is essentially what the saving throw is, can you avoid meeting her gaze. So if her eyes are hidden by some means (illusion or polymorph), then logically you shouldn't be affected by the petrification attack. However it should be possible to cover via illusion or polymorph everything but the eyes and still retain the attack. However, it should also be very obvious when and by who, it is being used to the target.

 

[uzagi_akimbo]

Well, if you look long enough, she will pretrify you and the mythical Medusa probably had Ability Focus and real good stats for a better DC
The spells will not be enough to hide the gaze attack, but the Medusa is well adviced to supress the ability...

Well......, this Medusa is actually trying to infiltrate human society (complicated motives and backstory), but wants to be able to use her gaze-attacks if need be. Basically , she wants ito to be available, but not an automatic giveaway, say by accidentally turning the entire marketsquare into so many lawn ornaments...
As she is an accomplished sorcerer (wonderful synergy with the gaze attack) , she has the means to hide by spell (and I was wondering what equipments she might possibly employ to help her charade ). Guess "Alter Self" will do

BTW - do HD from class levels count for purposes of determing the DC of her gaze attack ? I think not, but if yes, she is going to be exceedingly deadly....

 

[uzagi_akimbo]

Well you have to look a medusa in the eyes to be turned to stone. If you can't see her eyes you can't be turned to stone. That is essentially what the saving throw is, can you avoid meeting her gaze. So if her eyes are hidden by some means (illusion or polymorph), then logically you shouldn't be affected by the petrification attack. However it should be possible to cover via illusion or polymorph everything but the eyes and still retain the attack. However, it should also be very obvious when and by who, it is being used to the target.

Hmmm, the problem is, how do a medusa's eyes look/appear when she has her gaze attack turned "off" ? Are they recognisable as for what they are ? In how far will her having the power available to strike with compromise her disguise ?

And basically, It would be pretty nice to know if the medusa's gaze is a passive proximity effect (e.g. triggered by extraneous action, like meeting her gaze with effective range ) inherent to her eyes, or an active supernatural power, used at her volition, projected from her (otherwise normal ) eyes. The description of gaze attacks in the DMG (p 294) seems to state both modes being correct.

Personally, if there isn't anything official I will simply go by instinct and make up a house-rule for it, but it might lead to some surprised (and petrified ) players, hence some anger and therfore I would appreciate some rule-wise line of defense to fall back on, if need be.

 

[shilsen]

Hmmm, the problem is, how do a medusa's eyes look/appear when she has her gaze attack turned "off" ? Are they recognisable as for what they are ? In how far will her having the power available to strike with compromise her disguise ?

I would say there's no recognizable change just because she turns "off" her eyes. You can add something if you think that adds to the flavor, but it's not really necessary.

And basically, It would be pretty nice to know if the medusa's gaze is a passive proximity effect (e.g. triggered by extraneous action, like meeting her gaze with effective range ) inherent to her eyes, or an active supernatural power, used at her volition, projected from her (otherwise normal ) eyes. The description of gaze attacks in the DMG (p 294) seems to state both modes being correct.

Actually, both modes are correct. The gaze is a passive attack, so that (assuming it's not turned off) any creature within range has a chance of being affected. And the medusa can also choose to use it as a weapon aimed at a particular creature.

 

[Sejs]

Well, if you look long enough, she will pretrify you and the mythical Medusa probably had Ability Focus and real good stats for a better DC

Probably the Creature of Legend template too, I would imagine.

BTW - do HD from class levels count for purposes of determing the DC of her gaze attack ? I think not, but if yes, she is going to be exceedingly deadly....

I don't they would count, no. Just racial HD. So an advanced medusa would have a higher DC, but a medusa with class levels would not. The advanced is just inherrantly more powerful, or alternatly has been working to cultivate her natural abilities, whereas the class leveled one has been persuing other avenues instead.

 

[uzagi_akimbo]

Probably the Creature of Legend template too, I would imagine.

I don't they would count, no. Just racial HD. So an advanced medusa would have a higher DC, but a medusa with class levels would not. The advanced is just inherrantly more powerful, or alternatly has been working to cultivate her natural abilities, whereas the class leveled one has been persuing other avenues instead.

I refered to the mythical medusa mainly, because of the "original" mode of petrfying gaze/countenance and not really to compare her power ( I mean, the original Gorgon named Medusa kept on petrifying people with her face/gaze, long after she had been killed and her head chopped of - Perseus, her slayer used her detached head to petrify an entire festive crowd, simply by pulling it out of a bag. And laters, the diety Athena mounted it on her shield, to serve as an additional offensive weapon, petrifying anyone who looked at it. Sounds pretty much like a major Artifact/Epic level monster to me )


Guess the sorcerous medusa I plan to use is gonna invest in a Cloak of Charisma then, hehe.